Haris Rauf warns India ahead of T20 WC opener

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has issued a warning to the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup opener, saying that he will have special plans for Rohit Sharma's side on his 'home ground' in Melbourne on October 23.

India and Pakistan will begin their T20 World Cup campaign 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23.

Rauf is banking on his knowledge gained from the Big Bash League to outsmart Indian batters in the marquee clash.

"If I give my best, they won't be able to play me easily. For the upcoming World Cup match, I'm very happy because it is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground," Rauf, who plays for Melbourne Stars in the BBL, said in the post-match interaction after their six-run win over England.

"It is my home ground because I play for the Melbourne Stars, and I have an idea of how the conditions play out there. I've already started planning on how I would bowl against India," he said.

Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets — for the first time in a world tournament — in the last edition of the T20I World Cup in UAE. But recently in the Asia Cup, India secured a clinical five-wicket win before losing to Pakistan in the 'Super 4' stage.

The 28-year-old fed the Indian batters with short-pitch deliveries as he returned wicketless in their first match of the Asia Cup. But in the Super 4 stage, he accounted for the key wicket of India skipper Rohit Sharma.

The 28-year-old ended the Asia Cup with eight wickets from six matches. But in the ongoing series against England he's been at his best, leading the tally with eight wickets from five matches.

"The match between India and Pakistan is always a high-pressure game. In the World Cup last year, I was feeling so much pressure. But in the past two matches in the Asia Cup, I didn't feel much of it because I knew I just had to give my best," Rauf added.